NEWS GLEAMS | Gov. Ferguson Declines to Approve State and House Budget Proposals; King County Has New Interim County Executive

Summary

Gov. Ferguson Declines to Approve State and House Budget Proposals

Shannon Braddock Named Interim King County Executive

White Center Pride Calls for Vendors for Street Festival

Gov. Bob Ferguson has declined to sign budget proposals passed by the Washington State House and Senate, which sought to find solutions to close the State's looming budget deficit. An updated March revenue forecast added an additional $1 billion to the State's projected budget deficit, bringing the total to $16 billion over the next four years.

Earlier this month, Gov. Ferguson proposed $4 billion in budget cuts to address the State's budget deficit. His proposal added to $3 billion in cuts proposed by former Gov. Jay Inslee in December, putting the savings at a potential $7 billion. The House and the Senate accepted most of Ferguson and Inslee's budget cut suggestions while adding their own additional savings and reductions.

Ferguson's initial proposal was "all cuts" and did not suggest the addition of any new taxes, but in a speech on Tuesday, Ferguson changed course slightly. Citing additional budget shortages caused by loss of federal funding, he noted that an "all cuts" budget would no longer be sufficient and that he would be open to solutions through taxation. Regardless, he still asserted that he would not be able to sign the State or House budgets for two key reasons: They both proposed too much in taxes and relied far too much on a "wealth tax."

Overall, Ferguson said that there were five points that must be in any budget he signed, including a minimization of new additions and efficiencies or savings on existing programs. He also called for a budget that relied on real-life projections, which he said the Senate budget did, as well as complete protection of the State's "rainy day fund," or budget stabilization account, which he said the House budget did.

Lastly, he said the balanced budget could not rely on anything that had the potential of being overturned in courts, such as a wealth tax, which he called "untested," "unreliable" and "irresponsible." Ferguson did agree with lawmakers that Washington State's tax structure was "too regressive," and thus, he said he supported capital gains taxes and did not rule out a payroll tax or a very small wealth tax that might be tested in court to see if it could be upheld. However, the proposed Senate and House budgets would have relied massively on wealth taxes to close the budget gaps, with $12 billion in the Senate budget and $7 billion in the House budget.

Gov. Ferguson has also previously said he would veto any budget that did not include $100 million in investments in police hiring over the next two years, which was a promise he had campaigned on. 

Certain Democrats, including some on the Legislative Black Caucus, suggested in January that any funding for the police should be paired with funding for social services. House Bill 2015, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Debra Entenman of Kent and which has been passed in the House, would potentially allow cities and counties to impose an optional 0.1% sales tax that could be dedicated to criminal justice solutions and help close local budget gaps. The bill still needs to be passed in the Senate, but Ferguson has shown his support for it.

Ferguson has also shown support for Senate Bill 5060, which still awaits a vote but could increase the number of law enforcement agency and county corrections officer personnel.

Any budget that the State Legislature and Ferguson adopt would likely go into effect in July.

Outgoing King County Executive Dow Constantine has named Shannon Braddock his successor, and she will hold the role of interim King County Executive until voters can choose a new County Executive in November. Constantine served in his role for 15 years and is leaving it now after the Sound Transit board approved his candidacy as its CEO last week.

For the past 15 years, Braddock has worked for King County. She began working in the office of former Councilmember Joe McDermott and began working in Constantine's office in 2017. She recently served as Deputy County Executive, and she will be the first woman to ever serve in the role.

In a press release, Braddock stated, "I'm committed to providing strong and steady leadership for the people of King County and delivering the essential services communities rely on, from roads, parks and trails to public transit, health, safety and more."

In the role of King County Executive, Braddock will oversee 39 cities within King County, as well as unincorporated areas and tribal nations.

White Center Pride is calling for vendors to participate in its street festival this year! 2025 will mark its 6th Annual Pride and will take place on June 6, in celebration of the region's LGBTQ+ community.

Applications are due by April 4 and can be filled out at bit.ly/WCPvendors. Vendors will be notified of acceptance by April 18, 2025.

The South Seattle Emerald™ website contains information and content supplied by third parties and community members. Information contained herein regarding any specific person, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the South Seattle Emerald™, its directors, editors, or staff members.